Pen and ink stand



Nov; 12, 1929. N. R. WATERS PEN AND INK STAND Fil ed April 23, L926 Patented Nov. 12, 192g Iv NIT NATHAN R. WATERS, OFv ST. LOUIS, .MISSOURL ASSIGNOR TO WATERS & WATERS MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION OF MIS- SOURI PEN AND INK STAND Application filed April 23,

My invention relates to devices of the class described adapted to be used on desks, and consists in an improved structure adapted to facilitate the use of an ordinary pen-or a fountain pen, or both.

It is an object of my invention to provide a pen and ink well in which the ink well will be protected at all times from the air which tends to evaporate the moisture from the ink and produce deposits of the ink solids which are unsightly and are picked up by the pen and interfere with the use of the same. The cover also protects the ink from the accumulation of dust in the ink.

It is desired that the protecting means thus afforded for the ink be of such nature that it I is easily assembled, and is easily cleaned when necessary.

In attaining these general objects, various detail objects arise, and these will be referred to in the following description.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of my invention,

Figure 1 is a top view ofmy improved structure.

' Figure. 3.

. Figure 2 is a horizontal section through the device taken approximately on l ne 22 of Figure 3 1s a vertical transverse section taken on the line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail in section of the pen seating features indicated in Figure 3. t

The body of my device is shown as rectangular in shape, although this is not essential. One side of the body forms a reservoir 1. The opposite side of the device is pro- 1926. Serial N0. 104,067.

vided with a pen filling inkwell 5 connected to the reservoir by a passageway 7, The Well i 5 is much smaller in volume than the reser- I voir 1 and may be repeatedly refilled by tilting the inkstand. After each tilting, the surplus ink will run back into the reservoir and the height of the ink level in the well 5 will never remain above the ridge 9.

The top wall of the inkstand is provided with a large opening over the inkwell, and a removable cover 10 fits into this opening and is preferably detachably secured in place by having lugs 12 adapted to project laterally under the top wall 18 of the stand. The edge of the opening in the top wall has suitable recesses 14 adapted to permit the insertion of lugs 12, and I also'desire to provide a gasket 15 betweenthe lower face ,of Wall 13 and the lugs. The object of the gasket is to permit the use of glass containers and glass or'otheri'igid covers, which, because of the gasket, will beable to expand and contract without cracking. The body portion of the inkstand isrecessed-at 16 to accommodate lugs 12.

That portion of the upper face of cover 10 which immediately surrounds the central opening in the cover is substantially horizontal, and in combination with this cover and the well below the-same I provide a novel pen holder 17 in which the finger grip portion 18 has its lower end shouldered as more clearly detailed in Figure 4 so as to pro vide a short portion 19 of relatively small diameter adapted to closely fit into the opening in cover 10. The periphery 20 of the shoulder is projected downwardly somewhat by making the shoulder concave, and this construction afiords supporting points for the pen holder spaced substantially from its axis. The combination of the frictional engagement of portion 19 with the cover 10 and the wide bearing afforded by the shoulder insures a stable support for the pen holder in vertical position with the pen point 21 immersed in the ink in the well.

I am aware that it has been suggested heretofore to provide pen-holding inkwells in which the pen holderis thrust into a rubber cork-like element which contacts with the 2 matinee finger grip portion of the pen holder throughout a substantial area. Such devices, however, result in smearing the finger grip portion of the pen holder with ink which is transferred from the pen point to the pen holder engaging portion of the cover.

With my device, the only portion of the pen holder which contacts with the cover is below the area engaged by the fingers of the user and the vertical surface of the opening in the cover is so short that it is easy for the pen point to be inserted in the opening and removed therefrom Without contacting with the cover. Even if such contact is made, the area is so small that no substantial accumulation of ink will follow and, as previously stated, no ink will be transferred to the finger grip portion 18. Obviously the details of my invention may be changed substantially without departing from the spirit of my invention, and l contemplate all such modifications as fall Within the scope of my claim.

I claim: lln combination, an ink stand including a dipping well, a horizontal member extend ing over said well and provided with a restricted opening, and a pen holder with a portion having a finger gripping surface, said holder terminating adjacent to said portion in an inwardly offset projection spaced from said surface, snugly fitting in said opening and being barely long. enough to engage the sides of said opening, the shoulder formed by said projection and portion resting on top of said member, whereby said pen holder closes said well and is stably supported in upright position. i

In testimony whereof I hereunto afix my M signature this 19th day of April, 1926.

NATHAN R. WATERS, 

